As same candidates face off again, a call for a higher standard

Updated 5:32 pm, Friday, August 15, 2014

We wish we could change the script on the Malloy vs. Foley sequel before enduring another fall of them calling each other liars.

If that seems harsh, you've likely blocked out memories of the final days of the 2010 race between Tom Foley and Dannel P. Malloy, who emerged as governor by some 6,400 votes. Or maybe you missed the ad Malloy's camp released just hours after Foley secured his spot on the ballot by winning Tuesday's Republican primary. The Democrats were spinning within minutes of the polls closing, claiming the low turnout was indicative of a lack of enthusiasm for the winning candidate. The reality is that a primary election in mid-August is hardly ideal for drawing voters.

The word "change" will be tossed around a lot in the weeks ahead. Let's hope there can be some change in the campaign rhetoric from both camps. Foley started making noise in this campaign 11 months ago, when he accused the governor of unethical behavior, but challenged Malloy to prove his charges were false, instead of delivering evidence himself. He prepared for the GOP convention in May by skipping the debates leading to it. He engaged his remaining Republican rival, John McKinney, in two debates, but otherwise laid low until Tuesday's primary. You can criticize his game plan, but you can't argue with the results. Foley's supporters clearly had no problem with the candidate's tactic of avoiding specifics when answering questions about, say, over-zealous governmental regulatory agencies or elucidating on how his gun control legislation would have been "different" from what was proposed and passed in Connecticut in 2013. Foley is often criticized for being "fuzzy," "non-committal" and "evasive" about details. Ironically, the reason for this is pretty transparent. Four years ago, some of the harshest attacks on Foley came from within the GOP, as he scuffled with former Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele. Fedele didn't make it to the final round, but left Foley bruised heading to his showdown with Malloy. The four years since the dramatic election have done little to nurture respect between Malloy and Foley. Foley has focused on Malloy's shortcomings during his limited public engagement with his Republican rivals. Malloy's camp didn't even wait for the final count of Tuesday's vote to broadcast Wednesday's ad, which revels in Foley's ill-fated recent campaign appearance at a mill in Sprague.

The Malloy ad served as a sort of checkered flag on their race. Foley called it a character attack and deemed it inexcusable. We'd like to believe this means he will resist attacks of his own, like those of last September. We fear, however, that they will bring out the worst in each other in the 82 days until Nov. 4. Nevertheless, here's how we'd like the two of them to spend those days. Focus on the citizens of Connecticut and the issues facing the state, instead of on one another. We need to know what you would do as governor. The shortcomings of your opponent -- and you both have them -- will not matter once the state's next chief executive takes office. Laden your campaign with malice and cheap ploys, and you tarnish Connecticut's reputation, as well. Yes, we're asking for a civilized campaign. We also ask voters to dignify the process by executing their right to vote on Nov. 4. Too many people wait until the final weeks to tune in. Unfortunately, that's usually when the static cloaks the message.

Foley has repeatedly driven home the point that his experience as a businessman can heal the Connecticut economy. Malloy has repeatedly tried to convince constituents his economic plan will work. They are both running out of time to show us some proof.

Gentlemen, you have 82 days left to be persuasive. Surprise us. The best sequels don't rehash the plot of the original.